Fish prices high but so are sales

Throughout the week, Barbadians rushed to fish markets across the island to make their purchases ahead of the Easter weekend, and vendors reported favourable sales despite an increase in the price they were asking for their catch.

Vendors at the Oistins Fish Market told Barbados TODAY on the eve of Good Friday they were pleased with their sales.

Some shared that because they had to pay fishermen more than usual for their limited catch, they were forced to raise the prices at their stalls.

Barbados TODAY understands that on Thursday, customers bought swordfish at $12 per pound, dolphin at $12 per pound, tuna at $11, marlin at $10 and flying fish at between $30 and $35 for a pack of ten.

Several shoppers said that because they wanted the product, they had to pay the price the vendors were asking.

One vendor, who did not give her name, indicated that her fish was “selling fast”.

Lisa Greene said she was busy selling fish throughout the morning and hoped that would continue throughout the course of the day.

“People come and ask about the prices of the different fish, but then they buy too because they want fish for Good Friday and the Easter holidays. So I have been busy all morning and I am hoping that things continue this way,” she said.

However, Greene indicated she observed that customers began shopping for their Easter weekend fish since last month to dodge the high fish prices common at Easter.

“They said that around Easter they realise that the price of fish does go up. And sometimes around Easter you don’t get much fish either, and then we got to rely on the processors for fish. But people asking for swordfish, and people asking for flying fish but complaining about the price because flying fish is really expensive right now,” Greene said. “But the overall sales ain’t too bad and that is the honest truth.”

Vendor Sheena Williams described her fish sales as much the same as on any other day but indicated that she noticed an increase in sales from Monday. Williams said even though flying fish was selling at a high price, Barbadians were still buying.

Jennifer Payne, who was busy ensuring that customers obeyed the COVID-19 protocols while she sold fish, reported being grateful for the morning sales. She said she was looking forward to the mad rush of people coming to the market after work on Thursday.

“A lot of people buy them fish early. People started buying early so that they would not be in this usual rush the day before Good Friday, but I am making sure that people obey the protocols and do what they have to do and everything will be alright,” Payne added.
anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb